Electric fence holder and insulator



July 30, 1957 H. P. NUMSEN ELECTRIC FENCE HOLDER AND INSULATOR Filed March 28, 1956 INVENTOR HA RRY P. NUMSEN United States Patent C) ELECTRIC FENCE HOLDER AND INSULATOR Harry P. Numsen, Oakley, Calif.

Application March '28, 1956,=Serial No. 574,414

3 Claims. ((11. 174-158) This'invention relates to electric fence brackets, and more particularly to means for mounting such brackets on steel fence posts of T cross section.

Thepresent invention is formed of a unitary length of steel spring wire and is designed to serve as a support in the construction of electrical fences.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination insulator and holder for electric fencing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination insulator and holder for electric fencing which will work on all types of fences, wood, or steel, and which is formed from a unitary length of steel spring wire.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an electric fence holder and insulator bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efiicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in operative use;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof shown alone; and

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view thereof looking along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, represents a cylindrical member of electrically insulative material connected at its upper end to a reduced cylindrical portion 11 by means of the frustoconical portion 12, the cylindrical portion 10 being provided with an annular recess 13.

A holder indicated generally at 14 and formed of a unitary length of spring steel wire is provided for the insulator for supporting the same on the fence post 15 of T-shaped cross section and includes the semicircular loop 16 adapted to fit within the recessed portion 13.

The ends of the semicircular portion 16 are integrally formed with the converging straight portions 17 which are in turn integrally formed with the elongated diverging straight portions 18. The free ends of the diverging straight portions 18 are integrally formed with the in wardly bent straight portions 19, with the loop 16, straight portions 17, 18 and 19 all lying in the same plane.

The free ends of the inwardly bent straight portions 19 are integrally formed with the vertical straight portions 20 extending upwardly at right angles to the plane of the straight members 18 and being integrally formed at their upper ends with the horizontal straight portions 21 at right angles thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. The free ends of the straight portions 21 are integrally formed at right angles thereto in the same plane thereof with the outwardly extending straight portions 22 which lie in a plane parallel to the plane of the straight portions 18 and which are in turn integrally formed at their outer ends with the straight, downwardly 2,801,277 Patented July 30, 1957 and rearwardly extending portions 23. One of the inclined portions 23 is integrally formed at its lower end with the transverse, straight member 24 which extends beyond the other inclined member 23 and terminates 5 in the enlarged end 25, the transverse portion 24 sup formed with the looped end portions 28 which are positioned on the straight portions 18 (Fig. 1) whereby to draw the straight portions 18 together, the latter being provided with the notches 29 adapted to be engaged by the loops 28 at any desired adjustment or tension.

As shown in Fig. 1, the straight portions 1 extend across the vertical edges30 of the fence post with the straight portions 19, 20 and 21 forming a pair of three sided clamps which engage the face of the post 15 remote from the insulator, with the straight portions 22 extending outwardly again beyond the vertical edges 30. The transverse portion 24 extends across the opposite face of the fence post 15 adjacent the insulator and engages the loop 26 whereby to retain the straight portions 19, 20 and 21 in resilient engagement with the post. The transverse rod 27 also exerts an inward tension on the straight portions 18 and 22 to further return the holder in firm engagement with the fence post.

Although shown in connection with a fence post 15 of T-shaped cross section, the holder will operate on all types of fence posts, both wood or steel.

In the latter case, the transverse rod 27 will hold the device to the post.

The tension and the unique manner in which the holder is bent provides the holder with a flexible rigidity and secure mounting. There is no strain on the fence after the animal is once shocked. There is no weather deterioration on the part of either the insulator or the holder.

The insulator will be formed of plastic or wood and will last indefinitely and is removable from the holder if necessary.

The device may be manufactured at relatively low cost. The lock rod 27 will permit the locking or re moval of the device in an easy and ready manner.

The device when in a closed position with the addition of an ordinary fence staple will operate on any wood post or tree, as will be obvious. Also, in a closed position, and with a short piece of tie wire, it will operate on a round, oblong or any type of bar that a user may choose to hold up his fence. The holder is almost indestructible and if bent or run over or abused in some manner, it can be straightened out with a hammer or other similar tool.

The post 15 on the outer face is provided with the usual knobs, protrusions or the like which prevent the holder from slipping up or down.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An insulator holder comprising a unitary holder formed of spring wire, comprising a loop central section adapted to surround the insulator and to support the same, the ends of said loop being formed with converging straight portions, the ends of said converging straight portions being integrally formed with elongated, straight, diverging portions passing across the vertical edges of the fence post, the free ends of said diverging straight portions remote from the insulator being integrally formed with inwardly extending portions adapted to engage the inner face of the post, said inwardly extending portions being integrally formed with upwardly extending portions, said upwardly extending portions being integrally formed with outwardly extending portions, said inwardly, upwardly and outwardly extending portions providing three sided clamping members adapted to engage the inner face of the post remote from the insulator, each of said outwardly extending portions being integrally formed with forwardly extending portions at right angles thereto adapted to pass outwardly across the vertical edges of the post, each of said forwardly extending portions being integrally formed with downwardly and rearwardly extending portions, one of said downwardly and rearwardly extending portions being integrally formed with a transverse portion extending across the to receive said transverse portion therewithin, and means for tensioning said elongated diverging portions.

2. An insulator holder according to claim 1, said last mentioned means comprising a separable transverse rod integrally formed at the ends thereof with loop portions surrounding said diverging straight portions whereby to draw the same together as it is moved towards the fence post and to release the same as it is moved away from the fence post.

3. An insulator holder according to claim 2, said diverging straight portions being provided with protrusions adapted to selectively engage the loops at the ends of said separable transverse member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,078,866 Metz Apr. 27, 1937 2,301,029 Falcetti Nov. 3, 1942 2,429,029 Newbern Oct. 14, 1947 2,430,259 Tichota Nov. 4, 1947 2,485,288 Homann Oct. 18, 1949 2,583,680 Brennan Jan. 29, 1952 

